One underlying storyline during training camp has been the consistent praise of Harden’s veteran presence and leadership. Kenny and Donovan gave some pretty good answers today.
Kenny:
“Leadership. He leads with actions first of all. He doesn't miss practice. He never misses a drill. He goes full out in every drill. And then you add his teaching, his ability to teach, especially with the younger guys, and communicate with the older guys, stopping drills.
I know offensively we had him and Don and Evan teach certain sets, and they were great at it. So we got to use his IQ, and we tried to do that in camp.”
Donovan:
“The only reason he's not talked about in that realm was because of the championship conversation. But I've always known it being around him, right? You know what I mean? But when you're his teammate, I think it brings it to a whole different level. And I said that last week or whatever it was, but just seeing him in camp, right? Seeing his influence on the group, seeing his conversation, seeing his passion behind winning, passion behind intention, and trying to be the best at what he does.
It really puts in perspective how BS a lot of narratives are, and how you really don't truly understand something until you see it on a daily basis. Sure, he hasn't won a championship or whatever, but he was one injury, one little inch away from being in the Finals, right? One year, the other year, I think CP gets hurt, right? So, situational things. There's so many things that play into it, bro. I don't think it was just him.
And I think you just see his level of hunger. After practice, I don't know if you guys ever watch him, but he's on the treadmill trying to find a way. If he runs stairs after practice, he's holding everybody accountable in drills. And I think that's what you see on a daily basis, and it really motivates you as a player, right? I feel like I work extremely hard, but it's a competition. You're trying to outwork him, and that helps the group get better.”
🏀 El pique de Harden y Meleek Thomas en el entrenamiento de los Cavs en el Carpena. Málaga sigue disfrutando de la NBA en casa del Unicaja
📲 Más información, en https://t.co/0m6pAD6WW1
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James Harden Training Camp Day 1:
"[0:32, Spain] Amazing. People are very, very nice. The food is really good. The weather is amazing. I think the experience so far is really good--[1:16] Mario [Hezonja] has been looking good these last few weeks. Today he looked really good; Peyton [Watson] has looked good. Just trying to put everything together. It's going to take some time, but we're in the right direction--[1:43] Whoever needs help, whether it's vocal, teaching, on the court, off the court, just whatever. I can sense who needs help at a certain time, and sometimes I think less is more. If I just back up a little bit and go through the experience--[2:34] Spain is one of the most beautiful places in the world...every time I come here, the experience is how it should be. I love it here--[3:10, Mario Hezonja's Difference and Improvement] I think it's confidence. As a young player, he was probably trying to find himself, see what works, what doesn't work...he had to come overseas and find himself, but I think who he is now as a player fits what the NBA is now. A big, strong guy who can get downhill and shoot it...he looks really good. Hopefully, that can translate all year long for what we need--[4:12, Jaylon Tyson's 2026 Playoff Experience] Me personally, I've been trying to build my relationship with Jaylon because he does have the skills and tools make a lot of money in this league. He just needs a little guidance at times to get him over the top. Anything I see where I can help him at, I'm trying to be there for him...this year, we're gonna need him and count on him to play more minutes--[5:30] It sounds like you're under the water, Danny...it's over."